Definition
Defined paths on an airport surface used by aircraft to move between runways, ramps, hangars, terminals, and other operational areas. Taxiways are marked with continuous yellow centerlines and identified by letter designations (e.g., Taxiway A, Taxiway B).
Plain English
The roads on an airport that aircraft use to get to and from the runway. They are not for taking off or landing — just for moving on the ground.
Context Anchor
You encounter taxiways during ground operations before takeoff and after landing, especially while following airport signs, painted lines, lights, or ground control instructions.
Derivation
From 'taxi,' a term borrowed from taxicabs, used in aviation since the early 1900s to describe an aircraft moving slowly on the ground under its own power. A taxiway is simply the path used for taxiing.
Why Pilots Care
Using taxiways correctly prevents runway incursions, keeps airport traffic flowing safely, and avoids conflicts with aircraft on active runways.
Intuition Check
Do not think of taxiways as small runways. A runway is for takeoff and landing; taxiways are for moving around the airport on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
After landing, the pilot exited the runway and followed Taxiway B to the parking ramp.
Example Sentence 2
The controller cleared the aircraft to taxi via Alpha and Bravo taxiways to the departure runway.